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What's in a name? How did we come up with the name "Clap For Jesus". The story begins back in late 1990's when Father Simon, born and raised in Ghana Africa,  was assigned to St Benedicts Catholic Church in Duluth GA, as an associate pastor. It didn't take long for the parishioners to come and enjoy the smile and warmth of Father Simon. Although his English was sometimes hard to understand at that time, his enthusiasm was overwhelming and it was a sad day for St Benedicts when Father Simon was re-assigned, a few years later,  to go back and serve his people in Ghana. But the Bishop of Ghana had a different plan for Father Simon including using his new found friends in Atlanta to help the people back home. Father Simon immediately founded the "River Blindness Project" that raised money for fresh drinking water by digging wells in the various villages. After a few years and with that project well established, Father Simon called on his friends in Atlanta again to do something bigger. He persuaded St. Benedicts parishioners, Don Madda and Tom and Julie Clements, to not only come and visit him in Ghana to get a first hand look at the people, their love for God but  also to see the overall poverty of the area. In October 2005, these three  spent 6 days with Father Simon visiting the villages, examining the wells and meeting the people. The impression that the trio found was one of hope, enormous faith and a need for help to give them a better quality of life. After some discussion with Father Simon and the Bishop, Tom, Julie and Don all agreed that education and medical needs are on the top of the list to give the people a chance to better themselves. They were looking at a way to market his new project and a clever name that would be remembered. Our blessed St. Benedict's parishioners were amazed at the impoverished Ghanans' faith  and how they wanted to praise God at every opportunity. That included praising God on the names of the stores. The team saw many of these such stores, but the one that they  thought was the best was "Clap for Jesus". Thus a cause was born.